Method and apparatus for generating or using interaction activity information

ABSTRACT

A method of generating interaction activity information, performed by a device, is provided. The method includes establishing communication with at least one external apparatus; receiving first information about a user selectable function of the external apparatus; and generating second information, based on the first information, about a user selectable function of the device, wherein the user selectable function of the device corresponds to the user selectable function of the external device and can be performed in collaboration with the external device.

PRIORITY

This is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/785,948, filed onMar. 5, 2013, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/681,484, filed on Aug. 23, 2010, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.8,612,636 on Dec. 19, 2013, which claims priority to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2009-0077871, filed on Aug. 21, 2009, and KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2010-0080064, filed on Aug. 19, 2010, in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the entire content of each of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatuses forgenerating or using interaction activity information, and moreparticularly, to methods and apparatuses for generating or usinginteraction activity information about a function that is usedinteractively between connected apparatuses.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, for user convenience, there has been a need for consumerelectric (CE) products that interact with each other during theiroperations. Currently, by virtue of the development of network andelectronic technologies, there have been many CE products that interactwith each other during their operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to address at least the problemsand/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages describedbelow. Aspects of the present invention provide methods and apparatusesfor generating or using interaction activity information.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method of generatinginteraction activity information, performed by a device, is provided.The method includes establishing communication with at least oneexternal apparatus; receiving first information about a user selectablefunction of the external apparatus; and generating second information,based on the first information, about a user selectable function of thedevice, wherein the user selectable function of the device correspondsto the user selectable function of the external device and can beperformed in collaboration with the external device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method ofdisplaying a cooperative function list, performed by a device, isprovided. The method includes establishing communication with at leastone external apparatus; receiving information about at least one userselectable function of the external apparatus; and displaying a list,based on the information, of at least one user selectable function ofthe device, wherein the at least one user selectable function of thedevice can be performed in collaboration with the external device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method,performed by a device, of carrying out a cooperative function with anexternal device is provided. The method includes establishingcommunication with the external device; transmitting information aboutat least one function of the device; receiving control signal from theexternal device; and carrying out the cooperative function incollaboration with the external device in response to the controlsignal, wherein the cooperative function is a user selectable functionprovided in the device and can be performed in collaboration with theexternal device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent by describing in detail embodiments thereofwith reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an interaction activity list generatingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of connecting apparatuses, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A through 3D are diagrams explaining a method of connecting anexternal apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of connecting apparatuses, accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining a method of connecting apparatuses,according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of generating an interaction activitylist, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining a method of generating an interactionactivity list, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams explaining interaction activity lists,according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is aflowchart of a method of using an interaction activity list, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a case where theconnection between the apparatuses of FIG. 2 or 4 is released, and thenthe apparatuses are reconnected;

FIG. 10A is a diagram explaining a list of found external apparatuses,which is displayed on the connection requesting apparatus, according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a diagram explaining a list of found external apparatuses,which is displayed on the connection requesting apparatus, according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method of using an interaction activitylist, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining an interaction activity list that isused in the method of FIG. 11, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 13 through 17 are diagrams of apparatuses for generating or usinginteraction activity information, according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The term “interaction activity information” as used herein refers toinformation about a function that may be used interactively betweenconnected apparatuses. For example, according to such an interactionfunction, when a first apparatus and a second apparatus are connected toeach other, a function of the first apparatus may be performed by thesecond apparatus, or a function of the second apparatus may be performedby the first apparatus. An interaction activity list is one embodimentof the interaction activity information. Hereinafter, information aboutthe interaction function will be referred to as an interaction activitylist.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an interaction activity list generatingapparatus 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the interaction activity list generating apparatus110 includes an interface unit 111, a list generating unit 112, adisplaying unit 113, a controlling unit 114, and a storing unit 115.

The interaction activity list generating apparatus 110 is connected toan external apparatus 120 via the interface unit 111. A connectingmethod between the interaction activity list generating apparatus 110and the external apparatus 120 will be described in detail below. Theinterface unit 111 receives information about a function that is capableof being performed in the external apparatus 120 from the externalapparatus 120. The information about a function that is capable of beingperformed in the external apparatus 120 includes metadata regardingfunctions, performances and limitations of the external apparatus 120.The metadata includes the functions, performances and limitations of theexternal apparatus 120, but is not limited thereto. The metadata mayinclude any information as long as the information can be used togenerate the interaction activity list. In addition, the informationabout a function that is capable of being performed in the externalapparatus 120 may further include controlling signals regardingfunctions and performances of the external apparatus 120. If interactionactivity list generating apparatus 110 receives the information about afunction that is capable of being performed in the external apparatus120 after requesting the external apparatus 120 for the informationabout a function that is capable of being performed in the externalapparatus 120, the information about a function that is capable of beingperformed in the external apparatus 120 may further includeauthorization information with respect to the controlling signals of theexternal apparatus 120. The interface unit 111 transmits the metadata ofthe external apparatus 120 to the list generating unit 112.

The list generating unit 112 generates the interaction activity listusing the metadata of the external apparatus 120, which is received fromthe interface unit 111. In detail, the list generating unit 112 selectsfunctions of apparatuses including the interaction activity listgenerating apparatus 110, which may be performed by the externalapparatus 120, with reference to the functions, performances andlimitations of the external apparatus 120, which are included in themetadata. Then, the list generating unit 112 generates the interactionactivity list using the selected functions, and controlling signalscorresponding to the selected functions from among the receivedcontrolling signals. The generated interaction activity list is storedin the storing unit 115.

The controlling unit 114 selects one external apparatus 120, from amongexternal apparatuses that are searched for via the interface unit 111,generates a connection request signal, and transmits the connectionrequest signal to the interface unit 111. The interface unit 111transmits the connection request signal to the external apparatus 120.Then, when the interface unit 111 receives connection authorization fromthe external apparatus 120, the interaction activity list generatingapparatus 110 and the external apparatus 120 are connected. It ispossible that the external apparatus 120 may not allow the interactionactivity list generating apparatus 110 to be connected to the externalapparatus 120. When the external apparatus 120 allows the interactionactivity list generating apparatus 110 to be connected to the externalapparatus 120, predetermined information about the interaction activitylist generating apparatus 110 may be stored. The stored information maybe used when the interaction activity list generating apparatus 110 isreconnected to the external apparatus 120.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, when theexternal apparatus 120 access an interaction activity list generatingapparatus 110 within a predetermined range, the interface unit 111connects the external apparatus 120 to the interaction activity listgenerating apparatus 110. According to the present embodiment, only whenthe external apparatus 120 physically contacts the interaction activitylist generating apparatus 110, the external apparatus 120 may beconnected to the interaction activity list generating apparatus 110. Inthis case, the external apparatus 120 does not have to be searched forand selected.

The displaying unit 113 displays the generated interaction activitylist. In addition, when the connection between the external apparatus120 and the interaction activity list generating apparatus 110 isreleased, and then the external apparatus 120 and the interactionactivity list generating apparatus 110 are reconnected, the displayingunit 113 displays the interaction activity list related to the externalapparatus 120 and the interaction activity list generating apparatus110, which is stored in the storing unit 115. The displaying unit 113may include a touch screen.

When a user selects a predetermined list in the interaction activitylist displayed by the displaying unit 113, the controlling unit 114determines a signal regarding a function that is selected in thedisplayed interaction activity list. Then, the controlling unit 114transmits an instruction that the external apparatus 120 performs theselected function to the external apparatus 120 via the interface unit111.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, after theinteraction activity list generating apparatus 110 generates theinteraction activity list, the interaction activity list generatingapparatus 110 may transmit the metadata regarding the functions ofapparatus including the interaction activity list generating apparatus110, to the external apparatus 120. Here, the functions may be used inthe external apparatus 120 interactively between the apparatusesincluding the interaction activity list generating apparatus 110 and theexternal apparatus 120. Alternatively, after the apparatuses areconnected to each other, the apparatuses may exchange metadata regardingrespective functions of the apparatuses and may generate respectiveinteraction activity lists.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for connecting apparatuses, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, in step 210, a connection requesting apparatussearches for external apparatuses that may be communicating with theconnection requesting apparatus.

In step 220, the connection requesting apparatus selects one externalapparatus from among found external apparatuses. The connectionrequesting apparatus transmits a connection request signal to theselected external apparatus.

In step 230, the connection requesting apparatus and the selectedexternal apparatus are connected to each other. When the externalapparatus receives the connection request signal, the external apparatusmay transmit a signal for allowing connection with the connectionrequesting apparatus, in response to the connection request signal. Itis possible that the external apparatus may not allow the connectionwith the connection requesting apparatus. When the external apparatusallows the connection with the connection requesting apparatus,predetermined information about the connection requesting apparatus maybe stored. The stored information may be used when the connectionrequesting apparatus is reconnected to the external apparatus.

FIGS. 3A through 3D are diagrams explaining a method of connecting anexternal apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIGS. 3A through 3D, a connection requesting apparatus is a mobilephone 310, and an apparatus that allows connection in response to aconnection request is a digital television (TV) 320. The mobile phone310 and the digital TV 320 include displays 311 and 321, respectively.The displays 311 and 321 may include a touch screen (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 3A, when a user of the mobile phone 310 executes asearch function of the mobile phone 310 in order to search for externalapparatuses that may be connected to the mobile phone 310, a menu 312for searching for the external apparatuses is displayed on the display311 of the mobile phone 310. When the user selects an item “NEWAPPARATUS CONNECTION’ 313 in the menu 312, the mobile phone 310 searchesfor external apparatuses that are located within a connectable distance.When the display 311 of the mobile phone 310 includes a touch screen,the user may select the item “NEW APPARATUS CONNECTION’ 313 by touchingthe item “NEW APPARATUS CONNECTION’ 313. In addition, the user mayselect the item “NEW APPARATUS CONNECTION’ 313 by using buttons 314.

In FIG. 3B, a menu 315 including items of found external apparatuses isdisplayed. The items of the found external apparatus include TV 316,CAMERA 317, PC 318, and the like. In order to display informationregarding the external apparatus in more detail when the items aredisplayed, the items may further include peculiar information. Forexample, with regard to a TV, peculiar information indicating a productname may be further displayed. For example, in FIG. 3B, TV (PAVV LED)316 is displayed. The user may select an external apparatus to beconnected to the mobile phone 310 by touching an item of the externalapparatus or using a button, and may request connection with theexternal apparatus.

FIG. 3C is a diagram related to the digital TV 320 that receives theconnection request signal. When the TV 320 receives the connectionrequest signal, a menu 322 regarding whether to allow connection isdisplayed. Items included in the menu 322 may include ‘TEMPORARYCONNECTION’ 323, ‘CONNECTION AFTER REGISTRATION TO INTERNAL APPARATUS’324, and ‘CONNECTION REJECTION’ 325. The ‘TEMPORARY CONNECTION’ 323refers to an item for allowing the mobile phone 310 to be connected tothe digital TV 320 just once. If connection between the mobile phone 310and the digital TV 320 is released, the mobile phone 310 and the digitalTV 320 may not be automatically re-connected to each other, but theconnection between the mobile phone 310 and the digital TV 320 may bere-requested. The ‘CONNECTION AFTER REGISTRATION TO INTERNAL APPARATUS’324 refers to an item for storing predetermined information about themobile phone 310 in a memory and then allowing the re-connection. If theconnection between the mobile phone 310 and the digital TV 320 isreleased, when the mobile phone 310 tries to again be connected to thedigital TV 320, and the same type of apparatus as the mobile phone 310corresponding to the information stored in the memory, the apparatus maybe automatically re-connected to the digital TV 320 regardless ofwhether to allow the connection or not. The ‘CONNECTION REJECTION’ 325refers to an item for rejecting a connection request. When a user of thedigital TV 320 selects items of the ‘TEMPORARY CONNECTION’ 323 or the‘CONNECTION AFTER REGISTRATION TO INTERNAL APPARATUS’ 324, the mobilephone 310 and the digital TV 320 are connected. When the mobile phone310 and the digital TV 320 are connected to each other, menus 319 and326 for indicating the connection are displayed on the mobile phone 310and the digital TV 320, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 3D.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of connecting apparatuses, accordingto another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in step 410, when an external apparatus is locatedwithin a predetermined range, the external apparatus is recognized.According to an embodiment of the present invention, the externalapparatus may need to physically contact a connection allowanceapparatus within a predetermined range. In FIG. 4, the externalapparatus and the connection allowance apparatus may be automaticallyconnected without searching for and selecting the external apparatus,unlike in FIG. 2.

In step 420, the connection allowance apparatus is connected to therecognized external apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining a method of connecting apparatuses,according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a connection allowance apparatus is a digital TV520, and a mobile phone 510 and the digital TV 520 may each include adisplay. The displays may include a touch screen. When the mobile phone510 accesses the digital TV 520 within a predetermined range, thedigital TV 520 recognizes the mobile phone 510. In this case, even ifthe mobile phone 510 may not request connection, a user of the digitalTV 520 may determine whether to allow the digital TV 520 to be connectedto the mobile phone 510. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, the predetermined range is a distance between very adjacentlocations. For example, when the mobile phone 510 includesradio-frequency identification (RFID), and the digital TV 520 includes aRFID reader, the predetermined range is a range that may be recognizedby the RFID reader. Alternatively, the predetermined range may be set tocorrespond to a case where the mobile phone 510 physically contacts thedigital TV 520. The steps to be performed after the digital TV 520recognizes the mobile phone 510 are the same as in FIGS. 3C and 3D.According to another embodiment of the present invention, the mobilephone 510 may recognize the digital TV 520. In this case, after themobile phone 510 requests the digital TV 520 to allow connection betweenthe mobile phone 510 and the digital TV 520, the steps described withreference to FIGS. 3C and 3D may be performed. In this case, a menu 530for requesting the connection may be displayed on the mobile phone 510.

In FIGS. 2 and 4, a first apparatus and a second apparatus may beconnected in an Ad-hoc connection manner, or in an Infra connectionmanner. In the Ad-hoc connection manner, direct communication betweenthe first apparatus and the second apparatus is performed without anyaccess point. In the Infra connection manner that is one of wirelesslocal area network (LAN) communication methods, communication betweenthe first apparatus and the second apparatus is performed via an accesspoint. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the Ad-hocconnection manner, or the Infra connection manner is automaticallyconverted. However, the present embodiment is not limited to the Ad-hocconnection manner, or the Infra connection manner, and variousconnection methods may be used.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of generating an interaction activitylist, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in step 610, a first apparatus and a secondapparatus are connected.

In step 620, the second apparatus receives information about a functionto be performed by the first apparatus, from the first apparatus. Theinformation about the function to be performed by the first apparatusincludes metadata regarding the function of the first apparatus. Themetadata includes the functions, performances and limitations of anapparatus, but is not limited thereto. The metadata may include anyinformation as long as the information can be used to generate theinteraction activity list. In addition, first information furtherincludes controlling signals regarding functions and performances of thefirst apparatus. If the second apparatus receives the first informationafter requesting the first apparatus for the first information, thefirst information may further include authorization information withrespect to the controlling signals of the first apparatus.

In step 630, the second apparatus generates the interaction activitylist regarding functions that may be used interactively between thefirst apparatus and the second apparatus, based on the firstinformation. In detail, the second apparatus selects functions of thesecond apparatus, which may be performed by the first apparatus, withreference to the functions, performances and limitations of the firstapparatus. Then, the second apparatus generates the interaction activitylist using the selected functions, and controlling signals correspondingto the selected functions from among the received controlling signals.

In step 640, the second apparatus determines a selection signal in theinteraction activity list, based on a user's selection signal, andtransmits a controlling signal corresponding to the determined selectionsignal to the first apparatus.

In the method of FIG. 6, the second apparatus receives metadata from thefirst apparatus, and generates the interaction activity list. Accordingto an embodiment of the present invention, after the second apparatusgenerates the interaction activity list, the second apparatus maytransmit metadata regarding functions of the second apparatus, which maybe used in the first apparatus interactively between the first apparatusand the second apparatus, to the first apparatus. In addition, after thefirst apparatus and the second apparatus are connected, the firstapparatus and the second apparatus may exchange metadata regardingrespective functions of the first apparatus and the second apparatus,and may generate respective interactive activity lists.

FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining a method of generating an interactionactivity list, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, a mobile phone 710 and a digital TV 720 areconnected. The mobile phone 710 transmits metadata including informationabout functions, performances and limitations of the mobile phone 710 tothe digital TV 720, and receives metadata including information aboutfunctions, performances and limitations of the digital TV 720 from thedigital TV 720. The digital TV 720 transmits the metadata includinginformation about functions, performances and limitations of the digitalTV 720 to the mobile phone 710, and receives the metadata includinginformation about functions, performances and limitations of the mobilephone 710 from the mobile phone 710. The mobile phone 710 and thedigital TV 720 that interact with each other to generate respectiveinteraction activity lists using the received metadata. The respectiveinteraction activity lists generated by the mobile phone 710 and thedigital TV 720 may be the same, or different. The mobile phone 710 andthe digital TV 720 are synchronized with each other so as to share thegenerated interaction activity lists and to store the generatedinteraction activity lists in a predetermined memory.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams explaining interaction activity lists 813and 821, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8Ashows an example of the interaction activity list 813 generated by amobile phone 810, and FIG. 8B shows an example of the interactionactivity list 821 generated by a digital TV 820.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the interaction activity list 813 is displayed ona display 811 of the mobile phone 810. The interaction activity list 813includes items 815 through 819. The items 815 through 819 indicatefunctions of the mobile phone 810, which may also be performed by thedigital TV 820. For example, when a user of the mobile phone 810 selectsthe item ‘SHOW PICTURE ON TV’ 815 by using buttons 812 or touching thedisplay 811, the mobile phone 810 transmits pictures stored in themobile phone 810, or pictures that are currently displayed on thedisplay 811, to the digital TV 820. Then, the digital TV 820 displaysthe pictures received from the mobile phone 810 on a display of thedigital TV 820. If there are many items, the items may be selected bymoving a scroll bar 814 of the interaction activity list 813.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the interaction activity list 821 is displayed onthe display of the digital TV 820. The interaction activity list 821includes items 822 through 825. The items 822 through 825 indicatefunctions of the digital TV 820, which may also be performed by themobile phone 810. For example, when a user of the digital TV 820 selectsthe item ‘WATCH BROADCAST ON HHP’ 822 by using a button, a remotecontroller, or a device for controlling the digital TV 820, the digitalTV 820 transmits a broadcast program, which is received from an externalsource, to the mobile phone 810 by using a predetermined method. Then,the mobile phone 810 displays the broadcast program received from thedigital TV 820 on the display 811 of the mobile phone 810.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of using an interaction activity list,according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a casewhere the connection between the apparatuses of FIG. 2 or 4 is released,and then the apparatuses are reconnected.

Referring to FIG. 9, in step 910, a connection requesting apparatussearches for external apparatuses. The connection requesting apparatusand the external apparatuses have been connected to each other, and thendisconnected before. If information about the external apparatuses isstored in the connection requesting apparatus, the connection requestingapparatus may search for the external apparatuses. If information aboutthe connection requesting apparatus is stored in the externalapparatuses, when the connection requesting apparatus searches for theexternal apparatuses, the external apparatuses may transmit theinformation of the external apparatuses themselves to the connectionrequesting apparatus. FIG. 10A is a diagram explaining a list of foundexternal apparatuses, which is displayed on the connection requestingapparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Forexample, the connection requesting apparatus is a mobile phone 1010. Amenu 1012 related to the list of found external apparatuses is displayedon a display 1011. The found external apparatuses may include a TV 1014,a CAMERA 1015, and a PC 1016. In addition, the connection requestingapparatus may further search for apparatuses that have not be connectedto the connection requesting apparatus before by selecting an item‘CONNECT NEW DEVICE’ 1013.

In step 920, an apparatus is selected from among the found externalapparatuses. If the display 1011 of the mobile phone 1010 includes atouch screen, a user may select one external apparatus from among thefound external apparatuses by touching an item corresponding to theexternal apparatus, or by using a button. When the user selects the item‘CONNECT NEW DEVICE’ 1013, the method of FIG. 2 is performed.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, when anexternal apparatus is powered-off, the external apparatus may besearched for. In this case, when the connection requesting apparatusselects the external apparatus that is powered-off, the connectionrequesting apparatus transmits a wake-up signal to the externalapparatus that is powered-off. Then, when the external apparatus ispowered-on, the external apparatus is connected to the connectionrequesting apparatus. In FIG. 10A, when an item ‘PC (SENS)’ 1016 that ispowered-off is selected, the wake-up signal is transmitted to the PC(SENS). Then, when the PC (SENS) is powered-on, the connectionrequesting apparatus is connected to the PC (SENS).

In step 930, the connection requesting apparatus is connected to theselected external apparatus. For example, in FIG. 10A, when a userselects the TV 1014 in the list of the found external apparatuses, themobile phone 1010 is connected to a TV.

In step 940, after the connection requesting apparatus is connected tothe external apparatus, an interaction activity list that is previouslystored is displayed. When the connection requesting apparatus isreconnected to the external apparatus, an interaction activity list,which has been used when the connection requesting apparatus has beenconnected to the external apparatus before, is displayed withoutgenerating a new interaction activity list. If an interaction activitylist is not stored, an interaction activity list may be generated byusing the method of FIG. 6. When functions of an apparatus have beenupdated, the interaction activity list may be updated automatically ormanually. Examples of the interaction activity list are shown in FIG. 8Aor 8B. For example, when a user of the mobile phone 1010 selects theitem ‘SHOW PICTURE ON TV’ 815 by using a button or touching a display,the mobile phone 1010 transmits pictures stored in the mobile phone1010, or pictures that are currently displayed on the display, to theselected TV. Then, the TV displays the pictures received from the mobilephone 1010 on a display of the TV.

FIG. 10B is a diagram explaining a list of found external apparatuses,which is displayed on the connection requesting apparatus, according toanother embodiment of the present invention. For example, when a digitalTV 1020 includes a large-sized display, a window 1023 for a list ofitems 1025 through 1027 of the found apparatuses, and a window 1024 foritems 1028 through 1030 of an interaction activity list may bedisplayed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method of using an interaction activitylist, according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11shows a case where the connection between the apparatuses of FIG. 2 or 4is released, and then the apparatuses are reconnected.

Referring to FIG. 11, in step 1110, when an external apparatus islocated within a predetermined range, the external apparatus isrecognized. According to an embodiment of the present invention, theexternal apparatus may need to physically contact a connection allowanceapparatus within a predetermined range. In FIG. 11, the externalapparatus and the connection allowance apparatus may be automaticallyconnected without searching for and selecting the external apparatus,unlike in FIG. 9.

In step 1120, the connection allowance apparatus is connected to therecognized external apparatus.

In step 1130, after the connection allowance apparatus is connected tothe external apparatus, an interaction activity list that is previouslystored is displayed. When the connection allowance apparatus isreconnected to the external apparatus, an interaction activity list,which has been used when the connection allowance apparatus has beenconnected to the external apparatus before, is displayed withoutgenerating a new interaction activity list.

FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining an interaction activity list that isused in the method of FIG. 11, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. For example, when a picture is currently displayed on amobile phone, an interaction activity list related to pictures isdisplayed. When an item ‘SHOW CURRENT PICTURE ON TV’ 1211, is selected,a function of displaying the current picture on an external apparatus,that is, a TV is performed. In addition, when an item ‘SHOW ANOTHERINTERACTION ACTIVITY LIST’ 1213 is selected, an interaction activitylist for performing other functions is displayed.

FIGS. 13 through 17 are diagrams of apparatuses for generating or usinginteraction activity information, according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, a first apparatus is a mobile phone 1310, and asecond apparatus is a TV 1320. Currently, the mobile phone 1310 displaysa picture, and the TV 1320 displays a broadcast program. In this case,when the mobile phone 1310 and the TV 1320 contact each other, thecurrent contents of the mobile phone 1310 are directly executed in theTV 1320. In FIG. 13, the picture displayed on the mobile phone 1310 isdirectly displayed on the TV 1320. The first apparatus may be a mobileapparatus that is capable of performing media-playback, and the secondapparatus may be an image reproducing apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 14, the first apparatus is a camcorder 1410, and thesecond apparatus is a TV 1420. The camcorder 1410 is on standby toperform photographing, and the TV 1420 displays a broadcasting program.In this case, when the camcorder 1410 and the TV 1420 contact eachother, pictures taken by the camcorder 1410 are streamed to the TV 1420in real-time. Of course, recording, or the like may be performed. Thefirst apparatus may be an apparatus that is capable of performingphotographing, and the second apparatus 1420 may be an image reproducingapparatus.

Referring to FIG. 15, the first apparatus is a digital camera 1510, andthe second apparatus is a personal computer 1520. The digital camera1510 is powered-on, and the personal computer 1520 is powered-on. Inthis case, when the digital camera 1510 and the personal computer 1520contact each other, contents of the digital camera 1510 is backed up toa folder that is previously stored in the personal computer 1520. Thecontents may include any contents that need to be backed up, such aspictures, moving pictures, memos, and schedules. The first apparatus maybe any apparatus that require a backup, and the second apparatus may bea computer.

Referring to FIG. 16, the first apparatus is a digital camera 1610, andthe second apparatus is a printer 1620. The digital camera 1610 displaysa picture, and the printer 1620 is powered-on. In this case, when thedigital camera 1610 and the printer 1620 contact each other, contents,that is, pictures of the digital camera 1610 are printed out by theprinter 1620. The contents may include any contents that are capable ofbeing printed out. The first apparatus may be an apparatus that iscapable of performing media-playback, and the second apparatus may be aprinter.

Referring to FIG. 17, the first apparatus is a first mobile phone 1710,and the second apparatus is a second mobile phone 1720. The first mobilephone 1710 displays a picture, and the second apparatus is on standby.In this case, when the first mobile phone 1710 and the second mobilephone 1720 contact each other, contents, that is, a picture of the firstmobile phone 1710 may be transmitted to the second mobile phone that ison standby. The first apparatus may be an apparatus that is capable ofperforming media-playback, and the second apparatus may be an apparatusthat is on standby.

The present invention can also be embodied as computer readable codes ona computer readable recording medium. The computer readable recordingmedium is any data storage device that can store data which can bethereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readablerecording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory(RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storagedevices, etc. The computer readable recording medium can also bedistributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computerreadable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. Also,functional programs, codes, and code segments for accomplishing thepresent invention can be easily construed by programmers skilled in theart to which the present invention pertains.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of sending information, performed by adevice, the method comprising: establishing communication with at leastone external device; obtaining first information about the externaldevice; based on the first information, displaying at least one functionof the device which is to be executed in the external device; generatingcontrol information about at least one function of the external device;and sending the control information, to the external device, indicatinga function to be executed by the external device, wherein the indicatedfunction is executed in the external device and controlled by thedevice.
 2. A method of displaying a function list, performed by adevice, the method comprising: establishing communication with at leastone external device; obtaining information about the external device;based on the information, displaying at least one function of the devicewhich is to be executed in the external device; and displaying a list,based on the information, of at least one function of the externaldevice, wherein the at least one function of the external device isexecuted in the external device and controlled by the device.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising: receiving an input for selectingone of the at least one function in the device.
 4. The method of claim3, further comprising: transmitting a media content related to theselected function to the external device.
 5. A method, performed by adevice, of executing a function with an external device, the methodcomprising: establishing communication with the external device;transmitting information about the device; receiving controlinformation, from the external device, indicating the function to beexecuted by the device; based on the information, displaying at leastone function of the device which is executed in the external device; andbased on the control information, executing the function in the deviceand controlling execution of the function in the device using theexternal device.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: receivinga media content related to the function from the external device; anddisplaying the media content on the device.
 7. A device for sendinginformation, the device comprising: a communicator for establishingcommunication with at least one external device, and for obtaining firstinformation about the external device; a display for displaying at leastone function of the device, based on the first information, which is tobe executed in the external device; a controller for generating controlinformation about at least one function of the external device andsending the control information, to the external device, indicating afunction to be executed by the external device, wherein the indicatedfunction is executed in the external device and controlled by thedevice.
 8. A device for displaying a function list, the devicecomprising: a communicator for establishing communication with at leastone external device and receiving information about the external device;a display for displaying at least one function of the device, based onthe information, which is to be executed in the external device anddisplaying a list, based on the information, of at least one function ofthe external device, wherein the at least one function of the externaldevice is executed in the external device and controlled by the device.9. The device of claim 8, further comprising: a user interface forreceiving an input for selecting one of the at least one function in thedevice.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the communicator transmits amedia content related to the selected function to the external device.11. A device, of executing a function with an external device, thedevice comprising: a communicator for establishing communication withthe external device, transmitting information about the device, andreceiving control information, from the external device, indicating thefunction to be executed by the device; a display for displaying at leastone function of the device, based on the information, which is executedin the external device; and a controller for executing the function inthe device based on the control information and controlling execution ofthe function in the device using the external device.
 12. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the communicator receives media content related to thefunction from the external device and the display displays the mediacontent on the device.
 13. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium storing a computer program for a sending information methodperformed by a device, the method comprising: establishing communicationwith at least one external device; obtaining first information about theexternal device; based on the first information, displaying at least onefunction of the device which is to be executed in the external device;generating control information about at least one function of theexternal device; and sending the control information, to the externaldevice, indicating a function to be executed by the external device,wherein the indicated function is executed in the external device andcontrolled by the device.
 14. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium storing a computer program for a sending information methodperformed by a device, the method comprising: establishing communicationwith at least one external device; obtaining information about theexternal device; based on the information, displaying at least onefunction of the device which is to be executed in the external device;and displaying a list, based on the information, of at least onefunction of the external device, wherein the at least one function ofthe external device is executed in the external device and controlled bythe device.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumstoring a computer program for displaying a function list, performed bya device, the method comprising: establishing communication with theexternal device; transmitting information about the device; receivingcontrol information, from the external device, indicating the functionto be executed by the device; based on the information, displaying atleast one function of the device which is executed in the externaldevice; and based on the control information, executing the function inthe device and controlling execution of the function in the device usingthe external device.